networked device

[JoseDRG]

Hi,

I'd like to know how to "network" a device. Say I had a sensor/transducer that I want to be able to read output from and push that to a web services. Obviously, it has to have a network card. I would probably need some programmable micro controller to get both to talk to each other and some signal processing. I don't know the lingo or every component required in the system. Can anyone shed some light here and perhaps through out some lingo so I can research this further?

Thanks.

 

[VEBill]

Unless it's a secret, you should provide some details about the specific sensor/transducers involved. In some cases, there are off-the-shelf solutions. In other cases, not so much.

 

[JoseDRG]

I'd like to connect a current meter to a network to track usage on a website. i'd (eventually) like to be able to shut off the current to a device from over the network(ethernet).

 

[IRstuff]

How much design and programming are you going to do yourself? If none, then be prepared to spend some money. A good place to start would be:

http://www.ni.com/labview/whatsnew/features/

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[JoseDRG]

Well, I'd like to get some off-the-shelf hardware current meter, controller, network card (wifi,wired) and get someone to help me put it together. but, I'd like to get a better understanding of the process before I approach an EE about it.

 

[IRstuff]

Then, NI is probably still your best bet. Labview will control a variety of instrumentation, and it now apparently has the hooks to stream data across networks. The page I posted earlier might not be sufficiently detailed. Try:

http://search.ni.com/nisearch/app/main/p/bot/no/ap/tech/lang/en/pg/1/sn/ssnav:dzn/q/internet data/

http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/7499

and particularly this one:

http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/5190

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[JoseDRG]

ok, am I getting the lingo correct


sensor w/ digital or analog output <=> programmable microcontroller <=> network interface

keep in mind this is supposed to be a stand-alone device (no pc)

 

[IRstuff]

Well, it pretty much doesn't matter what you call it, but you need a computer that can interact with the Internet. That requires a considerable amount of infrastructure.

You say you want a web server, isn't that a PC-like device already?

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[ScottyUK]

This one doesn't do the control aspect, but meets many of your other requirements:

http://www.ndmeter.co.uk/index.php/web-enabled-metering-with-integral-web-site

----------------------------------

If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[VEBill]

Measuring electrical current/power/usage, and remote controlling individual circuits, controled via local and/or Internet/web interfaces - all this is available off-the-shelf.

Geesh, you can even purchase the whole shebang embedded within a power strip:

http://www.avocent.com/assets/0/2319/2343/2465/2466/1779097c-ac2c-4e41-8d77-6e66134e5075.pdf

The above link is just one example of hundreds (or perhaps thousands) of similar options.

No need to reinvent such things. It's 2010.

 

[itsmoked]

Or check out

http://www.bb-elec.com/welcome_12-1-10v1.asp

They do stuff for about 1/10 the bend-over prices of N.I.

You probably want to look at "EtherNet Serial Devices".

If you want to roll your own, there are board mounted Ethernet Servers that are contained entirely inside the sheilded Ethernet connector.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com